Redwolff644
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- Jun 3, 2015
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I learned on Sunday that I can't leave my rabbits for more than 24 hours. My rabbit (#1) knocked over her water dish and succumbed to dehydration. Her cage mate (#2) survived because she knew how to use the water bottle. I moved the survivor (#2) to a different cage and cleaned out the old one. I'm giving you this info in case it is relevant. I separated my other two rabbits (I had 4), leaving one (#3) in it's original cage and moved the other (#4) to the cage below it. When I checked on them Sunday night, I noticed the one left in the original cage (#3) hadn't moved at all. I nudged her and she moved forward weakly, but "walked" on the tops of her front paws. I also noticed she had sat in her own filth all day, and her stomach was filthy. I picked her out and put her in a small container to move her. She put up almost no fight, which was unlike her. I called the breeder I bought her from (Whom I'm really not fond of, but she was all I could think of on short notice). She said it sounded neurological and recommended putting her down. I did it, reluctantly. Now, her previous cage mate, #4, seems lethargic. She doesn't seem to be eating or drinking. I may be mistaken but it looks like she may have also lost some weight, but again, I might be wrong. I moved her to a new cage and she moved a bit, but I want some one else's opinion. If its effecting my other rabbit, it's not neurological. I have 2 does and a buck left from my original 5. I don't want to lose another one.
Did you perform a necropsy of the dead rabbits to check for damaged organs or other signs of disease?
Honestly, this never even crossed my mind. I've had meat rabbits for about 2 1/2 month. I haven't even butchered the first one. I wouldn't have a clue what I'm looking for.
What are the temperatures like - rabbits easily succumb to heat stroke even with access to water.
Temp are low 80s. I'm working on getting them inside. I do provide each rabbit with a frozen solid gallon jug of water, plus a container of water changed twice a day.
What are their body conditions like ? Do they seem bony or not very muscular but have large/pot bellies ? Any diarrhea?
She doesn't seem bony or overly fat. She seems like a lean rabbit. I haven't noticed any diarrhea, but like I said, It seems like she hasn't been eating or drinking.
Did you perform a necropsy of the dead rabbits to check for damaged organs or other signs of disease?
Honestly, this never even crossed my mind. I've had meat rabbits for about 2 1/2 month. I haven't even butchered the first one. I wouldn't have a clue what I'm looking for.
What are the temperatures like - rabbits easily succumb to heat stroke even with access to water.
Temp are low 80s. I'm working on getting them inside. I do provide each rabbit with a frozen solid gallon jug of water, plus a container of water changed twice a day.
What are their body conditions like ? Do they seem bony or not very muscular but have large/pot bellies ? Any diarrhea?
She doesn't seem bony or overly fat. She seems like a lean rabbit. I haven't noticed any diarrhea, but like I said, It seems like she hasn't been eating or drinking.